Is it possible to get back to God

[MCA]

I'm in a panic. I used to be a Christian and stopped believing 4 years ago. I have been seeking God for almost 3 months now and its just getting worse. Have any of you heard or know someone that has once had faith and then stopped believing and then somehow came back? My mind just thinks differently now about life. Its like the cats out the bag and I can't get it back in. I don't feel like its possible

 

[cerette]

I encourange you to study the Bible, which is God's Word and where He speaks to You.
Here is a "ABC of Christianity"- study course:
"Learn From Me"

May the Lord bless your studies!

 

[RCF]

MCA,
I did. And cerette is right. Read. I found that by reading, I was able to kind of start anew. No preconceived ideas of what the bible should say, only the joy of exploring it! I found passages that I had read as a child and now understand them differently because I am reading them with the proper context.

Remember that the bible is not supposed to be read a sentence at a time, but chapters and books at a time.

Take notes. When reading the gospels (mathew, mark, Luke, and John ), read them in large sections, taking notes on things that interest you. Later, come back to your notes and delve into those research projects. But make sure you get the big picture first.

Pray. There is nothing more precious as your relationship with God. This will become more and more personal as you pray. Pray long. Pray hard. Tell God your troubles and your joys, your loves and your dislikes. He already knows, but somehow, talking to Him about it brings you closer. Ask. If you do not ask Him, you will not receive. Bring everything to the Lord in prayer.

Love. Find people to share your love with. The greatest gift you can receive is by giving others gifts of love. Make a difference to those around you. Be a servant to all and soon you will feel the adoration of a king.

Keep us posted. Things may not happen over night, but my prayer for you is on the way.

RCF

 

[paul1149]

What is not possible for man is possible with God, for with God all things are possible. The way back to God is the same as the way to God: through Christ's already finished work. Our labor is to enter His continuing sabbath rest. "Only believe".

Falling away is not a light thing, nor should it be. But God is able to give you the victory. Not only that, He will use your experience to deepen you, to help others and to establish the kingdom, because many have fallen away and need help back.

Keep abiding in Him. Hold fast to the completed work done on your behalf. Claim the precious Blood as your own, and do not give in to the enemy even for a moment. Remember Christ's promise to give rest to all who come to Him (Mt 11). Be patient and persistent, humble but confident. Because Jesus paid it all, we go to the throne of grace, not judgment, for help in time of need.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. -1Pet 5:10​

 

[seashale76]

I'm in a panic. I used to be a Christian and stopped believing 4 years ago. I have been seeking God for almost 3 months now and its just getting worse. Have any of you heard or know someone that has once had faith and then stopped believing and then somehow came back? My mind just thinks differently now about life. Its like the cats out the bag and I can't get it back in. I don't feel like its possible

Ah- I've been there. You can go and read my one blog post about my own experience (it should have a link to it on my username, iirc). My advice is to not give up seeking, even now.

Behold the Bridegroom - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVGmf4EhUMI

 

[MCA]

I don't know what to do guys. I just can't believe. One of the fellows on here on my other thread pretty much said that its not that I can't believe but that I don't want to. That is not the case at all for me. I want to believe but I just can't. My mind reasons completely different now. It cannot grasp a god or miracles or supernatural things or gods omnipresence. I want to believe and it seems like the closest I can get is make believe. Sort of like how you can make believe something in your head like winning the lottery. I keep crying I can't stop thinking about my mom. She grew up with 8 siblings they were so poor and God was the only thing they had to cling onto. He was all of their hope. And how dare I being the son of her and not believe in the very God that brought her out poverty and struggles and pain and everything else. I blame it on college. they taught us how to think analytically and critically. And yes the opposition is quite ridiculous, but that still isn't even enough for me to have a conviction believe for the Christian worldview. I am hopeless. How do I get out of here. Where has the old Matthew gone.

 

[RCF]

Josh McDowell is an excellent writer that may be able to shed some light on the things you are struggling with. I love his book, "More Than a Carpenter". It is available for about $7 on his web page. But here is a linc that covers a lot of the same things in his book. It is to his web page and this content is free.

Answers to Skeptic’s Questions

I haven't read all the topics he discusses here, but I have read the book i referred to several times. It really helped me after college.

RCF

 

[joey_downunder]

Re your mind not ''grasping'' the supernatural aspect of life:
Scientism and related thinking ignores a great deal of evidence for what cannot be measured/ explained by the 5 senses etc. Is that logical/rational to ignore whatever contradicts your current worldview?

A great place to start:Apologetics 315 - logical fallacies

 

[MCA]

I'm in pain again. I have always had questions about God and Jesus and I told myself one day I am going to get all my questions an honest seeking. So I remembered something a co worker who is a deist told me. He said Jesus was a buddhist monk. I saw a video about it and I wish I would have never watched it. I am in an even worse position and I just almost converted to atheism. I'm started to turn red and I almost passed out in my office. I need to know this is false or have someonje critique this video. Please do not watch it unless you are strong in christianity. But I need a Jesus giant to tell me this is not true. I'm so scared right now

 

[RCF]

MCA, you have now watched a video designed to cause the reaction you are having. Can you think of any evil powers that would want to deceive you? You can find alegations of all types of insanity online, but you have got to remember, truth is not always the goal of the info providers; chaos, disruption, confusion, all these things are designed to make you question the truth. I once heard of a preacher that proved the moon was made of green cheese by using biblical scriptures. Out of context, and twisted. He didn't believe it, but he made a point that had factual and scriptual premis. The same can be done with almost any source, with almost any slant, if you don't care about the truth, or are trying to disguise it.

You need to go to Josh McDowell's web page.
Answers to Skeptic’s Questions

This is a page on it that answers tons of sceptical points of view.


If you constantly look in the dark, you will loose your ability to see in the light. Balance your research. Don't only look for the skeptic propoganda, find both points of view.

RCF

 

[paul1149]

MCA - people are always doing that: Jesus was a Buddhist, Jesus was Hindu, Jesus was even an ultra-orthodox Essene Jew. They find some similarities between what Jesus taught and their own beliefs, and run with it. While there are always some similarities, there are immense differences. Jesus claimed to be God, and accepted worship. He also had control over nature. He forgave sins and claimed to be the giver of eternal life. At the same time He was the friend of sinners and the meek and lowly. There is no other like Him in all of history. He is the standard by which all are measured. To try to contain Him with Buddhism or any other -ism is impossible and misguided.

 

[MCA]

Thanks RCF..I have read many apologetics. I made a big mistake by watching this video. I talked to a friend and I feel better. I just have to eliminate this video from my mind. I looked at yoursite the other day. I need more than apologetics it seems. I only watched that stupid video cause someone told me that's how they converted to christianity, by trying t disprove Jesus resurrection...so I tried doing that and it just made it worse

 

[Casual Observer]

No need to be scared! Jesus did in fact master the principles of Buddhism in order to endure His Passion, but He did it not by following someone else but because He is God. Many people from all walks of life can find something to relate to in Jesus, and Buddhists are no exception.

Why can you get back to God? Because Jesus is the Good Shepherd (There is no other reason, nor is any other needed)

 

[vk2goh]

I don't know what to do guys. I just can't believe. One of the fellows on here on my other thread pretty much said that its not that I can't believe but that I don't want to. That is not the case at all for me. I want to believe but I just can't. My mind reasons completely different now. It cannot grasp a god or miracles or supernatural things or gods omnipresence. I want to believe and it seems like the closest I can get is make believe.

And yes the opposition is quite ridiculous, but that still isn't even enough for me to have a conviction believe for the Christian worldview. I am hopeless. How do I get out of here. Where has the old Matthew gone.

I would say that I go through the same struggles as you as well each day as well, even though I have been a committed Christian for 7 years. I've had serious ups and downs like problems with relationships and problems with work.

However, Im always thankful that I can come to God and pray to him each day asking for strength and wisdom. I also try and commit to reading my Bible each day as well to keep God as priority in life.

Maybe these are things you should consider

 

[MCA]

I really don't want to here about Jesus being a Buddhist.. I brought it up cause I just want someone to tell me it was ridiculous and that I shouldn't dwell on it. I'm trying to be a Christian and don't want to hear about other religions or Jesus being anything less than God. I want to choose to be a Christian but its hard because of the way my my mind is wired, I think a lot and I am naturally skeptical. But I come from a Christian home and want to be a Christian. If choosing to believe despite my doubts is possible, please help me.

 

[MCA]

I would say that I go through the same struggles as you as well each day as well, even though I have been a committed Christian for 7 years. I've had serious ups and downs like problems with relationships and problems with work.

However, Im always thankful that I can come to God and pray to him each day asking for strength and wisdom. I also try and commit to reading my Bible each day as well to keep God as priority in life.

Maybe these are things you should consider

Could you elaborate on your struggles? I pretty much toss and turn at night because I want to be a Christian so bad..I can't stop thinking about my family..I love them so much. Their faces are on my mind 24/7 and I want to have that connection with them. I don't deserve this. I deserve to be happy and be able to love them. But this struggle I'm going thru really does create a disconnect with me and I have a hard time loving them and being with them cause I don't know if I'm a Christian anymore. Like I still pray sometimes, and sometimes if I'm lucky I have enough faith to pray like I used to

 

[vk2goh]

Could you elaborate on your struggles? I pretty much toss and turn at night because I want to be a Christian so bad..I can't stop thinking about my family..I love them so much. Their faces are on my mind 24/7 and I want to have that connection with them. I don't deserve this. I deserve to be happy and be able to love them. But this struggle I'm going thru really does create a disconnect with me and I have a hard time loving them and being with them cause I don't know if I'm a Christian anymore. Like I still pray sometimes, and sometimes if I'm lucky I have enough faith to pray like I used to

Honestly I meant struggling more in a general sense, rather than your specific circumstances, since I assumed your circumstances would fall under the same umbrella.

I do experience doubts that whether God is present in the midst of situations such as poverty, death, disease and relationship breakdowns. I've had problems relating to my family as well, even though I love them dearly.

However, Im thankful that God will still listen to me, no matter what Im feeling or what my mind is like. His door is always open to me. It's only through Christ this is possible.

 

[glorify_him]

I can tell you first hand experience i am 26 years old and my walk has not been a cake walk to remember. heck i HAVE ran away from god so many times but with his love and compassion to his children whenever i catch myself i just sit down and talk to my father then we start back at ground zero and continue on. You will hear many things and see many things but remember if you keep your eyes on the lord and practice by his teachings then everything will be fine. Remember its yours and gods relationship no one else thats what makes it amazing.

 

[IamSaved84]

MCA, it sounds like you are looking for solid proof of God's existence in order to believe. Nothing wrong with that, as it is human nature to doubt God's existence from time to time (we're human after all).

If you need solid proof, all you have to do is ask God to give you a sign. Pray a prayer with a sincere heart and ask Him to reveal himself to you. HE WILL, TRUST ME. Whenever you make a bold statement like that to God, he is definitely going to answer you. And it will be enough proof that you will never have to doubt him again. All you have to do is ask.

 

[glorify_him]

Here is something is air real? Yea we breath it but how do you know its there you cant see it or hear it all the time..